MM. Cahours and Hofmann on a new Class of Alcohols, 311 



which in fact is more or less characteristic of nearly all the members 



of the acryle series. 



♦. The analysis of acrylic alcohol has led to the formula 



' Cg Hg 62=4 vols, of vapour. 



This compound is isomeric with acetone and with propyle-alde- 

 hyde, from which substances, however, it differs essentially by th« 

 aggregate of its properties. 



Acrylic alcohol burns with a much more luminous flame than 

 ordinary alcohol. It mixes in all proportions with water. Treated 

 with potassium, it disengages hydrogen and is converted into a trans- 

 parent gelatinous mass, which is the acryle-term corresponding to 

 potassium- alcohol. 



This potassium compound is violently attacked by iodide of acryle ; 

 a precipitate of iodide of potassium is thrown down, and a liquid is 

 formed lighter than water, and insoluble in this fluid. This new 

 substance corresponds to ordinary ether ; its formation is illustrated 

 by the following equation : — 



C^ (H5 K)02+C(. H5 I=KI+ Ci, Hi„ O2. 



The same product is formed by the action of iodide of acryle upon 

 oxide of silver or of mercury. 



On treating the new potassium-alcohol with iodide of ethyle, or the 

 ethyle-potassium-alcohol with iodide of acryle, an aromatic liquid is 

 produced, which is obviously the mixed ether of the ethyle and 

 acryle series. 



If acrylic alcohol be distilled with chloride, bromide or iodide of 

 phosphorus, the chloride, bromide and iodide of the acryle series are 

 reproduced with the greatest facility. 



Acrylic alcohol dissolves in concentrated sulphuric acid, without 

 separation of carbon ; the liquid, mixed with water and neutralized 

 with carbonate of barium, furnishes a crystalline salt, which contains 

 Cg H, BaS, 08=BaS04, (Cg H^) SO4. 



This is the sidphovinate of the series. 



On treating the 'mixture of acrylic alcohol with concentrated 

 sulphuric acid, a most violent reaction takes place ; the alcohol is 

 entirely carbonized with evolution of sulphurous acid. 



Anhydrous phosphoric acid affects the alcohol with less energy. 

 The mass darkens with evolution of a transparent colourless gas, 

 burning with a luminous flame. The analysis of this gas remains 

 to be made. 



Acrylic alcohol is rapidly attacked by oxidizing agents. A mix- 

 ture of sulphuric acid and bichromate of potassium acts with tre- 

 mendous violence ; the products of the reaction being acroleine and 

 acrylic acid, or its products of decomposition. The same transform- 

 ation is effected by spongy platinum. 



When treated with potassa and bisulphide of carbon, the new alco- 

 hol solidifies at once into a mass of splendid yellow needles, which 

 correspond to xanthate of potassium. 



By the aid of the alcohol itself, its sulphovinic acid, or its iodide, 

 all the terms of the acryle series may be produced with the greatest , 



